Editing, Actually…

This is not another case of blog abandonment!  It’s been a busy week, with work and editing the story referenced earlier in the “Writer’s Rush” post.  When I get it to a suitable state, I’ll post it in hopes that I will get some comments and constructive criticism.  If I’m going to support myself as a writer, I’ll need to develop a style of my own–but that goal is a long way off.  For now, I’ll just be happy to get some kinks worked out and explore some ideas that I have.  Damn, I’ve waited so long to do this!  Thirty years ago I wanted to be a writer–now I’m going to take the chance.  I think “giddiness” is a good sign!

A case of “Writer’s Rush”?

It’s been 24 hours, and I’m still high!

At 9:30 on a typical Sunday evening, I am usually relaxing so that I can get a good night’s sleep in preparation for the Monday hi-jinks.  Last Sunday evening, though, I started writing at 9:30.  By 11, I had churned out about 1200 words of what I think was a pretty decent lead-in to a little piece of fiction I had decided to write.

It felt good…no, it felt GREAT!  I don’t know if this kind of feeling will come along very often, but I was amazed at what a beneficial effect it had on my psyche and spirit.  I woke up this morning (MONDAY morning, mind) and I was still charged up.  It stayed with me throughout the day, too.

It’s a hard feeling to describe, but it was kind of like I became more medium than writer, channelling the story into a readable form.  In a way, I became transparent as the tale emerged. 

I hope I get that feeling again.  (If any other writers read this: “Was it good for you, too?”)

Notes from writers’ group meeting

At the first group meeting, I met: Chris, Dinaz, Janet, Kathi, Peter, Ruth, and Stephanie (I’m not sure about all of the correct spelling yet).

The way the writers’ group works is…

• Meet twice a month for about two hours
• A few days prior to the meeting, two pieces of work are sent out via email
• Everyone (ideally) reviews the material and brings their critique to the meeting
• Critique is on everything: syntax, content, structure, and so on

Both of the pieces the group reviewed were fiction and, since I only found out about the group yesterday, I did not have the stories critiqued.  In other words, I had nothing bad to say about either one!

There were some rules/guidelines that I heard about within the critiques:

• Remember to keep the reader’s point of view foremost
• Show the reader, don’t just tell the reader
• Self-editing is good, but only to a point
• Using more words to clarify something are often a bad idea–describe things, certainly, but fewer words are usually best
• Pay attention to the story’s timeline and “placeline” (knowing who is where, and when)
• Use deep descriptions, don’t gloss over important things
• Create unique characters
• When describing things or actions, use senses other than just sight to make your point
• Avoid contractions in prose

These are pretty basic and the first, I’m sure, of a multitude of such tips.  Writing, like many other crafts, is easy to do and impossible to master.  I’m hoping that enough practice can help me get published.  It can’t hurt!

My first meeting with other local writers

I want to be a writer because I love to create and tell stories (fiction) or explanations (non-fiction).  I also want to be free to work anywhere, anytime, with anyone or no one,  Besides the creativity and freedom, there’s the opportunity to hone my craft with other writers.  One of the first things that I wanted to do when I decided to write for a living was to make contact with a local writer’s group and attend a meeting.  What I was hoping to find was a group that was serious about writing, but that could laugh at themselves and the oddities of language.  I wanted to be in a group whose members wrote many different kinds of things: scripts, historical fiction, mysteries–even non-fiction such as biographies or technical articles.  I wanted to belong to a group that could both accept and offer criticism, where we are all focused on becoming better writers.

Today, I think I found just such a group.  I found a meeting notice at a local bookstore and decided to jump in–even though I still don’t know what I will write as a primary genre.  This group has about 9 members (including me) so it’s small enough to be intimate but large enough to offer a diversity of opinions.  The membership is working on a variety of projects, mostly fiction, for a variety of markets.  My criteria above were all met and I’m already looking forward to the next meeting in two weeks.

What I’d really like to do is write something short and get the group’s input.  I want to become a better writer (what writer doesn’t?) and it would be useful to get something out there for review.  I had an idea during the meeting–a story that I created in storyboard form for a media class in college.  I think I’ll try my hand at bringing the story into the realm of words, rather than pictures.

Welcome

This blog is for me to publish my writing to the web.  Such a simple statement, but so much behind it!  Let me explain; no, no time for that.  Let me sum up:

• Since I was in high school, I’ve wanted to write for a living–simply because I love words and communication
• I went to college to major in journalism, but along the way discovered computers (and lucrative computer jobs!)
• I’ve worked in what is now called “information technology” for the past 27 years
• This past week, I found out that my employer will no longer have information technologists at the site where I work
• Sometimes life just gives you a nudge toward where you ought to be; that’s how I’m choosing to look at this life change
• I WANT TO WRITE FOR A LIVING!

So I will write about whatever and post it here.  I’ll set up categories and tags to keep things organized.  I’ll allow myself some artistic expression (because words and computer code are the only artistry that I’ve ever been good at).  Hopefully, you my gentle readers will find some enlightenment and entertainment.